The southern Oregon coast has it all.
Stretching from Reedsport down to the California border, the south coast is a perfect combination of all that makes the Oregon coast so special: long sandy beaches, imposing cliffside views, coastal forests, sweeping sand dunes and fascinating sea stacks, all of which offer places for recreation as well habitat for a diversity of wildlife.
To discover the full breadth of the region, we visited every beach with reasonable public access on the southern Oregon coast – the culmination of our larger project documenting all of Oregon’s ocean beaches.
This guide is meant to help you discover new places to visit on your next trip out to the coast, whether you want a nice place for a day at the beach or a more rugged coastal adventure. Whatever you’re looking for, odds are good you’ll find it on the southern coast.
WHAT COUNTS AS A BEACH?
For this list, a “beach” is any sandy segment of the coastline that has a developed public access point. We did not include places that are accessible only by parking on local neighborhood streets, beaches with dangerous or difficult access, or spots in the Oregon Dunes that are open primarily to dune buggies and other off-road vehicles.
READ MORE: CENTRAL COAST GUIDE | NORTH COAST GUIDE
UMPQUA BEACH
Access: Parking lots along Salmon Harbor Drive
Amenities: Restrooms
Why you go: Easily accessible walking beach in Reedsport
Situated in the Oregon Dunes, most of the ocean beaches around Reedsport require long hikes or tricky drives to get to, or are designated for ATVs and dune buggies. The beaches on the south side of the Umpqua River, however, are easy to access and open to walking.
DELLENBACK DUNES
Access: Parking lot off U.S. 101, hike through the dunes
Amenities: Restrooms, campground, picnic tables
Why you go: Spectacular dunes, quiet beach
One of the best areas to hike in the Oregon Dunes, the John Dellenback Dunes also give access to a quiet beach. It’s about a two-mile hike through the sand to get there, depending on the route you take, but expect to find few other people when you arrive.
HORSFALL BEACH
Access: Parking lot at the end of Horsfall Beach Road
Amenities: Restrooms, campground, picnic tables
Why you go: Long beach, sand camping
Smack in the middle of an area that’s primarily used for ATVs and dune buggies, Horsfall Beach is one of the southernmost beach access points in the Oregon Dunes, perfect for a quick visit, a day at the beach or an overnighter.
BASTENDORFF BEACH
Access: Parking areas on Bastendorff Beach Road and Coos Head Road
Amenities: Restrooms, campground
Why you go: Lighthouse views, camping
Located at the Coos Bay Harbor entrance, Bastendorff Beach is a scenic spot with several access points, known for its recreational opportunities and adjacent campgrounds as well as views of nearby Cape Arago Lighthouse.
SUNSET BAY
Access: Parking lot off Cape Arago Highway
Amenities: Restrooms, campground, picnic area
Why you go: Tide pools and sunsets
The beach at Sunset Bay is incredibly small, but go at low tide and you’ll find room to roam on the rocky intertidal areas that offer phenomenal views looking south along the rocky coastline. The viewpoint and state park campground are among the busiest in the area.
SIMPSON BEACH
Access: Parking lot at Shore Acres State Park ($5 parking fee)
Amenities: Restrooms, picnic area, garden
Why you go: The amenities at Shore Acres
Simpson Beach is only one part of the beautiful Shore Acres State Park, which is home to a five-acre formal garden and incredible cliffside views. A trail leads down to the small Simpson Beach, tucked into a cove.
CAPE ARAGO
Access: Parking lot on Cape Arago Highway
Amenities: Restrooms
Why you go: Incredible views
Cape Arago is known for its great views over Simpson Reef, but it’s also home to two beautiful beaches at the South Cove and North Cove, accessed by trails leading down off the cliffs. The North Cove beach is closed March 1 to June 30 to protect seal pups.
SEVEN DEVILS
Access: Parking lot off Seven Devils Road
Amenities: Restroom, picnic area
Why you go: Beachside day-use area
Don’t let the name fool you, Seven Devils State Recreation Site has a perfectly lovely beach north of Bandon. With picnic tables and a restroom, it’s a great spot for a day on the coast.
WHISKEY RUN
Access: Parking area on Whiskey Run Lane
Amenities: None
Why you go: Blooming gorse
A narrow path gives access to the remote beach at Whiskey Run, a perfectly nice spot north of Bandon. The real attraction here, however, are the hills of yellow gorse flowers which are beautiful in the winter and spring – though the plants are highly invasive.
BULLARDS BEACH
Access: Parking areas throughout the state park
Amenities: Restrooms, campground, picnic tables, lighthouse
Why you go: State park amenities
Best known as home of the tiny Coquille River Lighthouse, Bullards Beach State Park also has many miles of sandy beach running south to the Coquille River Jetty, as well as a sizable campground.
COQUILLE POINT
Access: Parking lots at South Jetty Park, Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Amenities: Restrooms at South Jetty Park
Why you go: Bird watching, beautiful sea stacks
There are two beaches on either side of Coquille Point, a spot known for its sea stacks and islands that are home to several species of birds. It’s possible to walk between both beaches at low tide, otherwise you’ll need to use the overland trails, which offer fantastic views.
FACE ROCK
Access: Parking lot off Beach Loop Road
Amenities: Picnic tables
Why you go: Circles in the Sand
Best known as the home of seasonal sand labyrinth event Circles in the Sand, Face Rock is a beautiful beach on its own, connected to the wildlife refuge at neighboring Coquille Point. The sea stacks make great silhouettes at sunset.
DEVILS KITCHEN
Access: Parking lot on Saturn Lane
Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables
Why you go: Rugged rock formations
Another “devil” beach on the southern Oregon coast, Devils Kitchen earns its name with many rugged rock formations that look downright eerie on a foggy day – especially when populated by resident turkey vultures.
BANDON STATE NATURAL AREA
Access: Parking area off Beach Loop Road
Amenities: None
Why you go: Quieter beach in Bandon
Free of the spectacular sea stacks and rock formations found at Bandon’s more popular beaches, Bandon State Natural Area naturally sees fewer people.
FLORAS LAKE
Access: Parking area at Boice Cope Park ($5 parking fee), trail to beach
Amenities: Campground
Why you go: Varied natural beauty
Floras Lake Beach is one of the most spectacular beaches on the southern Oregon coast, and one of the most secluded. Go at low tide and you’ll have access to its famous arch rock formation, the towering beachside cliffs and a waterfall at the end.
CASTLE BEACH
Access: Parking area off Cape Blanco Road, trail to beach
Amenities: None
Why you go: Secluded lighthouse views
Located beyond a cow pasture on the north side of Cape Blanco, Castle Beach (also known as Sixes Beach) offers good views of sea stacks just offshore, as well as views of the Cape Blanco Lighthouse and access to the Sixes River.
CAPE BLANCO
Access: Parking area at the end of Cape Blanco Road
Amenities: Restrooms, campground, lighthouse
Why you go: The lighthouse
The Cape Blanco Lighthouse gets all the attention, but the beach just beneath the headland is a great spot as well, accessed via a steep trail that leads down from the main parking area.
PARADISE POINT
Access: Parking lot at the end of Paradise Point Road
Amenities: Restrooms
Why you go: Beachcombing
Like Tseriadun just to the south, Paradise Point is a dark sand beach known for agates, with some beautiful views up and down the coastline as well.
TSERIADUN (AGATE BEACH)
Access: Parking lot at the end of Agate Beach Road
Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables
Why you go: Beachcombing
Tseridun State Recreation Site, also known as Agate Beach, is one of the best places to find agates on the southern Oregon coast. The small, golden stones stand out especially well on the dark sand beach. Expect to find other rock hunters out there, especially during low tide.
PORT OF PORT ORFORD
Access: Parking lot on Dock Road
Amenities: None
Why you go: Excellent views
Maritime enthusiasts might get a kick out of the boats docked at the Port of Port Orford Beach, but casual beachgoers will enjoy the spectacular views looking down the coast.
BATTLE ROCK
Access: Parking lot on U.S. 101
Amenities: Restrooms, welcome center
Why you go: Battle Rock
Battle Rock extends off the mainland like a stubby finger, giving beachgoers access to all its nooks and crannies, which are home to all kinds of intertidal life. Views from the parking lot above are nice as well.
HUBBARD CREEK
Access: Pull-off on U.S. 101
Amenities: None
Why you go: More secluded Port Orford beach
Hubbard Creek is perhaps the least-crowded beach in Port Orford, owing to its low-key access by way of an unsigned highway pull-off. It is popular among surfers, who may crowd the parking area.
ROCKY POINT
Access: Small parking area off U.S. 101
Amenities: None
Why you go: Remote, rocky beach
There are often more rocks than sand at Rocky Point (go figure) but those looking for a seriously out-of-the-way beach might not mind. The tiny, unsigned parking area means few people will be around to crowd the place.
HUMBUG MOUNTAIN
Access: Trail at west end of the campground
Amenities: Restrooms, campground
Why you go: Uncrowded beach
The tucked-away beach on the north side of Humbug Mountain is a great addition to a hike to the top of the headland, or a nice place to spend a day on the sand. Access is easy for those staying at the state park campground, but parking is otherwise limited for day-use visitors, who can also walk in from the Humbug Mountain Trailhead on the side of U.S. 101.
ARIZONA BEACH
Access: Parking lot off U.S. 101
Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, group campground
Why you go: Quiet, secluded beach
One of the quietest developed park sites on the southern Oregon coast, Arizona Beach is short stretch of dark sand that is overshadowed by nearby Prehistoric Gardens.
SISTERS ROCKS
Access: Two pull-offs on U.S. 101
Amenities: None
Why you go: Beautiful scenery
With a wealth of natural attractions, Sisters Rocks is one of the most beautiful sites in the region. Visitors can park at a large pull-off and hike a short way down to the saddle between the two large rocks, where there are also two beaches, a sea cave and great viewpoints.
OPHIR WAYSIDE
Access: Parking lot on U.S. 101
Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables
Why you go: Convenient spot for a beach day
Ophir Wayside offers access to a long stretch of dark sand beach north of Gold Beach, with enough amenities for a fun and a comfortable day at the beach.
NESIKA BEACH
Access: Parking area at end of Nesika Road
Amenities: None
Why you go: Remote beach
Those who want a more remote beach option north of Gold Beach should head down to Nesika Beach, where there’s a lot of room to spread out. Beach walkers can head all the way up to Ophir Beach, or south to the small community of Nesika.
OTTER POINT
Access: Parking areas on Old Coast Road
Amenities: None
Why you go: Rugged scenery
There are no signs to Otter Point on U.S. 101, keeping the state park site something of a secret. The primary parking lot leads to great views over the rugged coastline, and a second pull-off about 1.3 miles farther south gives easier beach access.
ROGUE RIVER NORTH JETTY
Access: Parking area on Wedderburn Loop
Amenities: None
Why you go: Long beach, jetty views
A sandy beach on the north side of the Rogue River Jetty offers a good alternative to the main beaches of Gold Beach. The undeveloped parking area can be rough, so park somewhere safe and walk in.
GOLD BEACH
Access: Various points throughout town
Amenities: Restroom at Gold Beach Visitors Center
Why you go: Dark sand beach
The dark sands of Gold Beach run contrary to the name, but they are particularly beautiful. Most people access the town’s beaches from hotel or neighborhood access points, but travelers are best off stopping at the Gold Beach Visitors Center, which has a parking lot and restrooms.
KISSING ROCK
Access: Parking area on U.S. 101
Amenities: None
Why you go: Kissing Rock itself
The rock itself might get all the attention, but the beach around Kissing Rock is lovely as well, stretching more than three miles south from the mouth of Hunter Creek.
MEYERS BEACH
Access: Several pull-offs on U.S. 101
Amenities: None
Why you go: Incredible scenery
Meyers Beach is one of the most scenic on the southern coast, with several sea stacks and islands in the surf, and lots of room to spread out. Several access points mean lots of room to park, though beachgoers might miss having restrooms nearby.
PISTOL RIVER
Access: Several pull-offs on U.S. 101
Amenities: None
Why you go: Long stretch of beach
As the sand continues south from Meyers Beach, it becomes Pistol River, a state park split into three sections: north, middle and south. The north and middle units are practically identical, while the south features sand dunes and access to the mouth of the Pistol River.
HOOSKANADEN CREEK
Access: Pull-off on U.S. 101, steep hiking trail
Amenities: None
Why you go: Very secluded beach
There are no signs indicating access to the beach at Hooskanaden Creek, but if you park at an unsigned pull-off, head down to the Oregon Coast Trail and hike north, you’ll reach a path down to the small, secluded beach.
SECRET BEACH
Access: Several pull-offs on U.S. 101, trails to the beach
Amenities: None
Why you go: Incredible scenery
Secret Beach is not much of a secret, but it is one of the most stunning places on the southern Oregon coast. Viewpoints over the beach can be found by hiking in from a cramped primary trailhead, or from larger pull-offs at nearby Thunder Rock Cove and Natural Bridges. Access to the beach itself (best seen at low tide) requires a small scramble down the rocks.
CHINA BEACH
Access: Pull-off on U.S. 101, hiking trail to beach
Amenities: None
Why you go: Secluded beach
Perhaps more secret than Secret Beach is China Beach, accessed by a hiking trail that begins at a pull-off for the North Island Trail Viewpoint. The round-trip hike to the beach and back is about 1.2 miles.
WHALESHEAD BEACH
Access: Parking lot off U.S. 101
Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables
Why you go: Good views, picnic area
A nice spot to stop for a picnic lunch, Whaleshead Beach also boasts spectacular views of some large rocks just offshore. For beach access, go to the northernmost parking area, not the viewpoint parking lot to the south.
LONE RANCH
Access: Parking lot off U.S. 101
Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables
Why you go: Large picnic area
Lone Ranch Beach is another good spot to stop for the afternoon, with a lot of space to spread out on both the sandy beach and the grassy picnic area. There are nice views looking north and south along the coastline.
HARRIS BEACH
Access: Parking areas in the state park
Amenities: Restrooms, campground, picnic tables
Why you go: Views, tidepools, full state park
One of the best and busiest state parks on the southern Oregon coast, Harris Beach is definitely worth a visit. Between the tide pools, overland trails and several incredible views, the full-service state park has a lot to offer.
MILL BEACH
Access: Small parking lot off Macklyn Cove Drive
Amenities: None
Why you go: Tucked-away beach in Brookings
Mill Beach is a small beach beside Zwagg Island on the north side of Chetco Point in Brookings. Access is via a narrow road that leads to a cramped parking lot with a path down to the beach.
CHETCO POINT
Access: Parking lot on Wharf Street
Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, dog park
Why you go: Great views
Known primarily for its views, Chetco Point also has a small beach on its south face, with a good look down the coastline. Make sure to follow the paved trail to the top of Chetco Point for the best views in the park.
BROOKINGS BEACH
Access: Parking lot off Boat Basin Road
Amenities: None
Why you go: Convenient harborside beach
The beach that runs just south of the Chetco River mouth serves as scenery for the RV park and hotel that take up much of the area, but a sizable public parking lot allows for easy access to a nice beach with a view of the private Pelican Bay Lighthouse.
MCVAY ROCK
Access: Parking area off Seagull Lane
Amenities: Disc golf course
Why you go: Beachcombing
The beach at McVay Rock State Recreation Site is fairly rocky, and while that’s not necessarily idea for lounging, it is a nice place to go rock hounding.
WINCHUCK RIVER
Access: Parking area off U.S. 101
Amenities: None
Why you go: Quiet, uncrowded beach
A quiet companion to neighboring Crissey Field, Winchuck River State Recreation Site is one of the least-visited park sites on the coast, easily overlooked as cars zoom toward the California border.
CRISSEY FIELD
Access: Parking lot off U.S. 101
Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, welcome center
Why you go: Beautiful beach at the border
Crissey Field is the southernmost beach on the Oregon coast, running right up to the California Border, where you can keep walking and cross the state line. It’s also a particularly beautiful spot, with nice views to the north, long stretches of sand and many colorful stones to find.
-- Jamie Hale; jhale@oregonian.com; 503-294-4077; @HaleJamesB
This article is sponsored by Travel Oregon, a partner of Here is Oregon. The journalism is produced independently by members of The Oregonian/OregonLive newsroom.
